Tech & Comm

A 523-post collection

Gene Editing Reduces Anxiety and Increases Food Intake in Japanese Medaka

Researchers from China investigated the impact of knocking out the Neuropeptide Y receptor Y2 (npy2r) in the behavior and food intake of Japanese rice fish, also known as medaka (Oryzias latipes). Results of the study showed that the absence of npy2r reduced anxiety and increased the food intake of Japanese »

Nigeria's GM Potato Project First-year Trial Shows 300% Yield Advantage

The Genetically Modified (GM) Potato Project in Nigeria has concluded its first-year multi-locational confined trial in three locations, with the biotech potatoes showing a uniform yield advantage of over 300 percent compared to the best-performing variety in the country without fungicide application. The harvested biotech potato did not show any »

Grasses Transfer Genes from their Neighbors in Same Way GM Crops Are Made

A new study reveals that grasses may transfer genes from their neighbors in the same way that genetically modified (GM) crops are made. This research is the first to show how frequently grasses exchange genes in the wild through the process called lateral gene transfer, also known as horizontal gene »

Protein Root Discovery seals Future of Climate-proof Plants

Researchers have discovered a protein that seals plant roots to regulate the uptake of nutrients and water from the soil, the discovery could help develop climate proof crops that require less water and chemical fertilizers. Researchers from the University of Nottingham identified new components of the lignin barrier in plant »

Chinese Farmers Harvest Giant Rice Resistant to Pests and Flooding

The second harvest of genetically modified (GM) giant rice developed by the Institute of Subtropical Agriculture at the Chinese Academy of Sciences has been completed in trial farms in China. Aside from increased yield, the GM rice variety also exhibits increased resistance to pests and floods. The high-yielding rice variety »

GM Lettuce and Mizuna Show Antibacterial Activity Against E. Coli

Researchers from the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine and Nomad Bioscience GmbH in Germany produced genetically modified (GM) lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) and mizuna (Brassica rapa subsp. nipposinica var. laciniata) that stably express Colicin M (ColM), a non-antibiotic antimicrobial protein found in some strains of Escherichia coli (E. coli) »

Experts Provide Updates and Potential of Gene-edited Fruits and Vegetables

China Agricultural University researchers published a review article on the development and prospect of gene-edited fruits and vegetables in the Food Quality and Safety journal. Gene editing technology offers tools such as CRISPR, TALENs, and ZFNs, which allow precise changes in plant or animal genomes to improve traits. Applications of »

Scientists Develop Gene-edited Chickens to Limit Spread of Bird Flu

Scientists from the University of Edinburgh, Imperial College London, and the Pirbright Institute used gene editing techniques to identify and change parts of chicken DNA that could limit the spread of the bird flu virus in the animals. Using gene editing techniques, the team of scientists bred the chickens and »

IRRI Scientists Discover Genes for Low and Ultra-low Glycemic Index Rice

Scientists from the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) have identified the genes responsible for low and ultra-low glycemic index (GI) in rice. This discovery will allow the conversion of popular rice varieties into low and ultra-low GI for refined white rice, through conventional breeding methods, keeping high-quality grain without compromising »

Researchers Develop Method that can Modify Individual Animal Cell Differently

Researchers from ETH Zurich have developed a method to genetically modify individual animal cells. Using the CRISPR-Cas gene scissors, the researchers aim to simplify and speed up the research process with laboratory animals by simultaneously making several gene changes in the cells of a single animal. The causes of genetic »

CRISPR Silkworms Produce Better Silk Fibers

Researchers from China used CRISPR technology on silkworms to produce tough and strong spider silk. The resulting fiber is considered better compared to other commercial synthetic fibers. Commercial synthetic fibers usually have a trade-off between toughness and strength so researchers must create materials that can combine strength with fiber toughness. »